In Darkness Reborn by Alexis Morgan Read Free Book Online Page B

geological phenomena of all kinds resonated deep inside him.
    His body was not yet in tune with the pulse of the local mountains, and even a relatively quiet volcano such as Mount Rainier took some getting used to. Eventually he would be able to judge its mood without becoming ill. He could only hope that he could continue to hide his affinity for the moods of the mountains.
    On that cheery note, he turned off the lights and sought out the refuge of his bed, hoping to dream about how it had felt to hold Lacey in his arms.

    The shrill ring of the phone startled Ben, even though he’d been expecting the call. He let it ring a few more times before he answered.
    â€œHello.”
    â€œAnother shipment is coming in the next time the barrier drops.”
    Ben swiveled his chair around to watch the door. It was unlikely that someone would enter his office uninvited, but he hadn’t gotten this far by being careless. “Tell your friend that the quality of that last batch was crap. The damn stones fell apart a few hours after they arrived.”
    The voice on the phone sounded completely indifferent. “I’ll tell him, but I don’t know how much control he has over what they bring.”
    The older man shook his head. “I don’t give a damn about his problems, and you can tell him so. I’m the one risking my neck here. If Devlin Bane or Blake Trahern manage to backtrack Ritter’s trail, I’m a dead man. If you can’t make it worth my while, I’m out of here.”
    The silence coming across the phone line was chilly. “I believe I have reminded you in the past about not mentioning names. I do not like having to repeat myself.”
    â€œSorry, sir. I wasn’t thinking.”
    â€œYes, you were,” the voice corrected. “But you were only thinking about yourself and not the big picture. We’re all in this together. If you screw up, we all go down. I won’t let that happen. Do I make myself clear?”
    Hell, he should have retired two years ago. He should have said no when they’d first approached him. He should have stayed away from the track. There were a lot of things he should have done. Now all he could do was say, “Yes, sir. Very clear.”
    â€œGood. I’m glad we have that settled. Is there anything else I should know about? How about that stinking Other? What is going on with him?”
    â€œThey keep shifting him around, probably because no one wants that filth around for long.”
    â€œI hear he made a trip to the Missouri facility with Bane. No one seems to know why.” Again the silence hung heavily between them.
    â€œI hadn’t heard that. I suppose I could make a few inquiries, but I’m afraid that would draw unwanted attention to us. I do know he’s been reassigned to the Geology Department. Perhaps I’ll learn more about his movements now.”
    â€œGood. He’s a complication, and I hate complications.
    â€œYes, sir. I know.”
    As if to throw a favored pet a bone, the caller said, “The money has been transferred into your account. The amount was slightly higher than expected.”
    Ben took all the risks, yet he was supposed to act grateful for the few extra crumbs they threw him. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”
    â€œSee that you do.” Then the phone went dead.
    Ben waited a few seconds, then dialed a number from memory. “I want to place a bet on Saturday’s race.”

Chapter 4
    E arly the next morning Barak stood down the street from the Center, holding a cup of Starbucks coffee and trying to blend in as the river of commuters swirled around him. A few muttering under their breath about him being in the way, but he had more important things to worry about than causing someone to be late for work.
    How was he going to enter the Center without another confrontation with Penn Sebastian? He didn’t give a damn about the Paladin, but after